Mariah Carey will be making a mint off “American Idol” — and she might have to bare her fangs for the money.

“Idol” producers are set to pay the “Vision of Love” singer $18 million to work as a judge on the upcoming season, according to reports.

Fox programming boss Kevin Reilly said he’d like to see more mean in the show that was once marked by Simon Cowell’s acid tongue in show’s first nine seasons.

During the past two seasons, with Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez on the set, “Idol” took a decidedly kinder-gentler turn from Simon’s famously mean demeanor.

“Look, ultimately you do want criticism,” Reilly said.

“Two years ago, it wasn’t an issue. It was a breath of fresh air. Maybe last year . . . that is always part of what we are looking for.”

“Idol” is still one of television’s most popular shows, averaging 17 million viewers per episode last season.

But numbers for the famous franchise — which has produced stars like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson — are going the wrong way. The 2012 finale drew 32 percent fewer viewers than the last episode of 2011.

“Our ratings were down,” Reilly said. “Not being the only game in town now, we have to keep things fresh.”